Basic Biscotti Orange, Anise, and Lemon

Basic Ingredients for *any* of the recipes* 3/4 C whole and unblanched almonds 1/4 pound butter 3/4 C sugar 2 eggs 2 1/4 C flour 1 1/2 t baking powder 1/4 t salt For Orange Biscotti Zest from 1 orange, grated or minced 2 T orange liqueur, or 1 T orange extract 1 1/2 t cinnamon For Anise Biscotti 2 - 3 t crushed anise seeds For Lemon Biscotti Zest from 1 lemon, grated or minced 1 T lemon extract, or 1 T lemon juice Procedures for all recipes Toast the almonds until golden, then chop by hand into 1/4 inch chunks. *Reduce oven heat to *325* degrees* Cream the butter until light, add the sugar and beat till smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs until the mixture is smooth. Add the (orange, anise, lemon) specific ingredients. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt, beat until just mixed. Stir in the almonds. On a floured board, divide the dough in half and roll each half into a long roll about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and about 10 inches long. Set the rolls on a baking sheet at least 3 inches apart, bake in the top third of the oven (*325*) for about 25 minutes, or until they are set and lightly browned on top. Cool the rolls for 5 minutes or so, then slice diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices. Lay the slices flat on the baking sheet and return to the oven for another 10 minutes. Turn the slices over and bake for another 10 minutes. Cool on a rack, and keep in a tightly covered tin - they keep for months.